Visited the Heian Shrine in Kyoto. Home to the largest torii gate in Japan!
The main building of the shrine was actually built in the likeness of the Kyoto imperial palace in 1895. Heian stands for Ping An or peace and safety in English. If you have a little more time on hand, the large gardens behind the shrine is worth a stroll!
The shrine is 10 minutes on foot from Higashiyama station of subway Tozai line. The best day to come to this temple is April 15 when a huge celebration will be in procession with lots of costumes from the old kyoto times.
Like most shrines and temples, there are sake barrels offered to the temple and a water fountain to cleanse your body, mind and soul before entering the temple. Inside the grounds of the temple, you see 2 more fountains. On the left and the right you can find the tiger and dragon fountains. People who “fan tai sui” or basically who’s zodiac signs clashes with the alignment of the universe that year has to drink from those 2 fountains. A list of the birth years that “fan tai sui” is placed outside the temple. But their choices are different from the Chinese temples we have in Singapore.
You also have a wishing booth inside to write your wishes, blessings and prayers on wooden slabs. I gave this one a miss.